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Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion and Kyoto Imperial Palace from Kyoto

star-4183 Reviews
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Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion and Kyoto Imperial Palace from Kyoto
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Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion and Kyoto Imperial Palace from Kyoto
Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle in Spring
This was great to experience for our first morning in Japan. Nijo Castle was great as we actually were taken through the building and our Guide provided great background history to it's construction. The Golden Pavilion was okay to see but was disappointing due to the large swarms of local school-kids but it was a bright sunny day which made the gold shine well. The Imperial Palace was rather disappointing as we couldn't go inside the building structures, we could only walk around the outside of the Palace Grounds before we were quickly ushered to the bus because they impose strict timings for tourists. (And only Tour Groups are allowed entry). Overall, for the first morning in Japan, rather than stumbling around looking for things to do, this gets you out seeing the three top attractions.

From $60.73

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1 Adult2 Adults3 Adults4 Adults5 Adults6 Adults7 Adults8 Adults9 Adults0 Children1 Child2 Children3 Children4 Children5 Children6 Children7 Children8 Children9 Children
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Free cancellation before August 25. Learn more
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icon4 hours 30 minutes  (approx.)
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iconOffered in: English

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Overview

Marvel at the some of the top UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples and palaces of ancient Kyoto on this half-day tour. This quick introduction to the sights of Kyoto covers Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), and the Japanese Emperor’s former Imperial Palace—a perfect way to see the city if you’re short on time. Your guided morning Kyoto excursion includes entrance fees and transport between sites by vehicle.
  • Kyoto morning highlights tour: see three top attractions in a short time
  • Tour the UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle with a knowledgeable guide
  • Marvel at Japanese gardens and design at Kinkakuji Temple and Kyoto Imperial Palace
  • Travel between landmarks with ease in an air-conditioned vehicle
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From $60.73

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Professional English-speaking guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Admission
Gratuities
Food and drinks
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
JTB SUNRISE TOURS DESK KYOTO , Japan, 〒601-8003 Kyoto, Minami Ward, Higashikujō Nishisannōchō, ３１ B1F AVANTI
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8:30AM Kyoto Avanti B1F(Sunrise Tours desk) http://www.jtb.co.jp/shop/itdw/info/e/desk/kyoto.asp Please be ready 10 minutes prior to the pick-up time.

8:30 AM
Kyoto Sta. , Higashishiokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
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Admire the incredible historical legacy of Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, as you explore the city’s top castles, temples, palaces and gardens. It’s a great introduction to this ancient city for those that have limited time during their visit.

After meeting your guide, head out to your first stop of the day, to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nijo Castle. This one-time home of the Tokugawa Shogun, constructed in 1603, contains five connecting structures made of Cypress wood. The complex is renowned for its elegant design and striking interiors, including the gold leaf-covered living quarters and the home’s extensive kitchen, guardhouse, and multiple gardens.

Head next to the glorious Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), the most popular temple in all of Kyoto. Spend time admiring the intricate architecture and serene Japanese gardens, along with the site’s namesake structure, the celebrated Golden Pavilion. Proceed on to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, once the residence of the Japanese Emperor before the national capital was relocated to Tokyo in 1868. View the former site of the imperial enthronement ceremonies and observe the elegant simplicity of the building’s interior design and architecture. When the tour concludes, you are dropped off at Kyoto Station.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
Nijo Castle
*
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Duration: 50 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
Stop At:  
Kinkakuji Temple
*
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Duration: 45 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
Stop At:  
Kyoto Imperial Palace
*
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Duration: 40 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Some parts of the road on this tour are made of gravel and may have steep inclines
  • Nijo Castle is closed every Tuesday during January, July, August, and December. (Closed on the following day if Tuesday is a holiday.) If closed, or if the tour is during the year-end/New Year's holidays, Ryoan-ji Temple will be visited instead.
  • The Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed on the following days. As such, the tour will visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine instead. (Mondays, Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday, May 14-17 for the Aoi Festival, New Year's holidays, and whenever there is an Imperial Household event).
  • The tour will visit Nishi Hongan-ji Temple instead of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine on May 25.
  • Near public transportation
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Depending on the number of tour participants, vehicles other than a large bus (mid-size bus/small-size bus), a hired car (van/minivan), or a taxi may be used
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 44 travelers
  • OPERATED BY JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc.
You can cancel up to 7 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • Any changes made less than 6 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • For a 50% refund, you must cancel 3–6 full days before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 7 full days before the experience’s start time.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion and Kyoto Imperial Palace from Kyoto?
A:The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Face masks provided for travelers
  • Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
See all safety measures taken by Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion and Kyoto Imperial Palace from Kyoto.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion and Kyoto Imperial Palace from Kyoto?
A:The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
See all safety measures taken by Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion and Kyoto Imperial Palace from Kyoto.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion and Kyoto Imperial Palace from Kyoto?
A:The policy on social distancing is:

  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
See all safety measures taken by Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion and Kyoto Imperial Palace from Kyoto.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion and Kyoto Imperial Palace from Kyoto?
A:The policies on staff health & safety are:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
See all safety measures taken by Kyoto Morning Tour - Golden Pavilion and Kyoto Imperial Palace from Kyoto.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

  • "When at the site, other tour was along side of ours and listening was difficult." See review
  • "We were doing a day trip to Kyoto from Osaka and this half day tour was the most perfect way to see the most sights while still reserving time to explore the city on your own." See review

Reviews

4.0
star-4
183 Reviews
5 stars
66
4 stars
69
3 stars
31
2 stars
10
1 star
7

Reviews by Viator travelers

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Showing 1-10 of 183 reviews
star-5
Enjoyable Tour
wilbyonclyde
, Oct 2019
This was a well organised trip and gave us a good insight into Kyoto. Our guide spoke very good English and was very informative. We enjoyed visiting the various attractions although unfortunately we couldn’t visit the Imperial Palace as it was closed due to the Emperors Coronation in Tokyo. We recommend this tour.
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star-1
Japan trip
Thomas_M
, Aug 2019
Be careful if you have to cancel your tour with Viator. We planned our Japan trip and as usual we booked tours with Viator. We became ill and had to postpone our trip. We went into the Viator website on July 30, to cancel our tours. The system indicated that the tours were cancelled but the cancellation did not register. Viator insisted on billing us almost $800 for our Hiroshima tour. BE CAREFUL WHEN TRYONG TO CANCEL YPUR TOURS WITH VIATOR.
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star-3
Fast-paced
MMQuine
, Jul 2019
I don’t know Japanese history but the guide was very fast, it was hard to comprehend everything. She was very nice, just too fast for me.
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star-3
Kyoto tour
Nam_N
, Jun 2019
The attractions we went to was nice, nothing spectacular. It was a very quick walk through and off we go to next site. Not enough time to really soak in the sites. The tour guide’s English was hard to understand. She tried to be funny, but laughed too much at her own jokes. She was hard to understand. When at the site, other tour was along side of ours and listening was difficult. You’re hearing the other group and your own group tour guide talking at the same time equally loud. Though the other tour guide English was much better and easier to understand. Our first time taking a tour and not likely to do it again.
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star-5
Amazing tour and great guide
MOEZ_J
, Apr 2019
This tour cover a lot of sights. The best tour of our trip. The guide made all the difference. Very knowledgeable.
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star-4
Great way to see some beautiful parts of Kyoto!
Cassie R
, Mar 2019
Enjoyed the tour very much. My feet were sore from walking in other tours, and I was grateful that this one took us from place to place on a bus.
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star-5
Awesome 1/2 Day Tour!
celinejaro
, Mar 2019
We were doing a day trip to Kyoto from Osaka and this half day tour was the most perfect way to see the most sights while still reserving time to explore the city on your own. Jessie was our tour guide and she was fantastic and very sweet! We were traveling with a 3 year old and a 7 year old and the pace of the tour was perfect for us - not too much time spent in each place. The only improvement I can suggest is to have earpieces so that the entire group can hear what the tour guide is saying through her microphone. It was very hard to hear her especially if your lagging behind!
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star-5
Really practical way to get to the...
Petros_M
, Jul 2018
Really practical way to get to the must-see Kyoto sites.
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star-2
The tour guide was very friendly and...
Bhushan_D
, Jun 2018
The tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. The nijo castle and golden pavilion was amazing. The guide knew it from inside out. However the Imperial palace was closed and we were told about it on the last day. I would have expected Viator to be proactive and tell us about the closure. We could have changed our plan to adjust the closure. We were taken to a less known shrine which was no comparison to the Imperial palace. Lastly about the drop off, the tour says hotel drop off, however on that day we were told that drop off is not included. We were a family consisting of kids and senior citizens and it was highly inconvenient to arrange transport at the last moment.
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star-2
WHEELCHAIR USER BE AWARE THAT THIS...
Anna B
, Apr 2018
WHEELCHAIR USER BE AWARE THAT THIS TOUR IS NOT FULLY ACCESSIBLE Golden Pavilion is accessible to a certain area good viewing opportunities too, but only to a certain area. Then you need to go back the way you came in to get out. Imperial Palace is flat but thick gravel everywhere difficult for wheelchair users I actually got thicker tyres on my Manuel wheelchair before my trip. A great idea. Nijo Castle if fully accessible but outside areas very gravelly. The really need a concret path
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star-3
It was OK, got to see a few key...
Pete_A
, Apr 2018
It was OK, got to see a few key sites. Tour guide was nice. No lunch like promised, but perhaps I misunderstood.
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star-4
Beautiful city and sights. Guide was...
Rafael_O
, Mar 2018
Beautiful city and sights. Guide was difficult to understand. That seems to be with every guide I had with the tour company. They are very nice, but unforuntately EXTREMELY difficult to understand.
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star-5
Great tour for those short on time...
Janelle
, Dec 2017
Great tour for those short on time in Kyoto. The Golden Pavilion and Nijo Castle were the highlights. Highly recommended.
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star-4
Guides could have given us more...
Carissa M
, Dec 2017
Guides could have given us more information about the various locations
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star-5
Knowledgeable tour guides, good amount...
Nicholas_D
, Nov 2017
Knowledgeable tour guides, good amount of time at each place.
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star-5
Very good tour guide who was able to...
Rolando G
, Nov 2017
Very good tour guide who was able to manage moving the tour along despite the crowds. The tour guide was well-informed and very knowledgeable.
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star-4
Good guide, we were well taken care of...
Arthur L
, Oct 2017
Good guide, we were well taken care of and the tour was as advertised and expected
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star-3
Gave us an overview of three...
Dina M
, Sep 2017
Gave us an overview of three must-see sights in Kyoto. Very helpful with orienting ourselves in Kyoto. Golden Pavilion was very crowded and it was good to have a guide. Just enough time at each place - didn't need to linger at any of these. One suggestion/criticism is that we strongly encourage the use of headset/microphones for the tour guides and each tour member. The guide had a microphone, but we could not hear/understand her once we were farther than 5 feet away from her and the microphone proved useless when at crowded sites all the sites on this tour. Better if each tour-goer had a headset so that we could hear the guide right into our ears. Please consider implementing this - will make your tour much more worthwhile.
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star-4
Very good overview on some of the...
Carole B
, Sep 2017
Very good overview on some of the highlights of Kyoto.
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star-5
Some beautiful spots, highlights really...
Helen A
, Sep 2017
Some beautiful spots, highlights really worth seeing.
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